TEAC VRDS-25

Pre owned. In good condition. Shows minor signs of wear. Supplied with remote control and spikes, without original packaging.

The Teac VRDS-25 has a refined and understated appearance reminiscent of earlier models in the same family, yet beneath its elegant design lies a thoroughly renewed technological structure. Its slim and precise tray, amber-colored display, and essential controls reflect great attention to detail, complemented by the comprehensive remote control, which allows access to advanced functions such as skip, programming, repeat, and fade. On the back, it offers both balanced and unbalanced connections, along with coaxial and optical digital outputs designed for future upgrades.

Inside, the decision to abandon bitstream technology in favor of a 20-bit architecture derived from Teac’s top-tier models marks a significant step forward. At its heart are two pairs of AD1862N mono converters, driven by a 25-bit, 8x oversampling NPC filter, ensuring outstanding performance. This solution, designed to compete with the renowned Burr-Brown converters, significantly reduces distortion and modulation noise while maintaining stable linearity even at very low signal levels. Measurements confirm an exceptionally low and consistent distortion across the entire dynamic range, a rare result among multibit players, which often exhibit noticeable variations in sonic character.

The VRDS-25 also benefits from differential converter pairs for each channel, further improving linearity and reducing noise. Added to this is Teac’s proprietary ZDII circuit, which provides an impressively wide dynamic range and preserves accuracy even in the most delicate passages. Jitter management, although not at the absolute level of the very best two-chassis systems, remains far superior to the average, ensuring a coherent reproduction free from audible interference.

Sonically, its character is not strictly neutral: the VRDS-25 interprets music with personality, favoring an energetic and colorful presentation over a purely analytical one. This choice, however, translates into an engaging listening experience, capable of conveying emotion and making every track feel vivid and alive. It is a player that prioritizes expressive strength and succeeds effortlessly in evoking excitement and emotion. For these qualities, it stands out as a refined and reliable machine, recommended to those seeking not only technical precision but also a true touch of musical personality.

Technical specifications:

• Maximum output / Impedance: 2.20Vrms / 1.15kohm
• S/N ratio (A-wtd): 110.5dB
• Distortion (20Hz-20kHz, 0dBFs / –30dBFs): 0.001-0.0015% / 0.005-0.01%
• Frequency response (20Hz-20kHz): +0.02 / –0.03dB
• Channel separation (20Hz-20kHz): 109-141dB
• Stopband suppression (24.1kHz re. 20kHz): >105dB
• Low-level resolution (1kHz re. –90dB / –100dB): –0.5dB / –0.4dB
• Digital jitter: 195psec
• De-emphasis accuracy (1kHz / 5kHz / 16kHz): 0.0dB / +0.1dB / +0.2dB
• Track access time (99): 2.2s
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 442 x 153 x 344mm
• Weight: 16.5kg